Got MERPed. Should I go?

I realize that the low GPA and low MCAT were reasons for me getting MERPed. However the science will be 2.8 and overall 3.0 by the end of spring (taking classes). I am re-taking the MCAT this January.

My question is, is it worth re-taking the MCAT over and over and continue to take advanced science courses to gain admission straight into the school no matter how long it would take? Or is it better to do MERP and get it over with and start med school right away? I know that time is money and if I am offered MERP again then I lost a valuable amount of time (and time is money).

So in the end, although MERP is very expensive (23k tuition and living), it might even be more expensive to postpone getting into med school. What do you guys think? Is the program really worth it?
Please be gentle.

i would say overall sGPA of 2.8 or 3.0 without mcat above 28 will get you merp'd, after 28-30 could go either way, above 30 probably straight admission. as deqny85 stated any other schools? if you want to not wait more than 4 months (amt of time merp takes) than i say merp, honest likleyhood of you jumping from 22 to 30+ on mcats is not likely POSSIBLE but i would say not likely. seems to me like you would very well end up in the same situation, just a year later or so after studying, taking mcat, reapplying, etc. best of luck!

So in the end, although MERP is very expensive (23k tuition and living), it might even be more expensive to postpone getting into med school. What do you guys think? Is the program really worth it?
Please be gentle.

I did MERP and my stats were lower than yours. It was a very doable program, not to say it is a walk in the park. Just like anything you want a good outcome on, you'll need to put in time and effort. I did well in MERP and the subjects I did in MERP helped me on the island, especially Physiology and Microbiology/Immunology. There is no guarantee that if you pass MERP, you will also pass basic sciences in Dominica. I had several friends who passed MERP and either got the boot after failing multiple courses on the island or got held back a semester or two for failing a course here and there. If you are willing to work hard and build solid study skills, MERP will not only get you to the main MD program on the island, but it will serve as some preparation for some of the coursework you will do on the island. Another plus that I liked about MERP was that once you got to the island, you already know a handful of people. Not to say that this is a reason to weight heavily in choosing whether you should go through with MERP or not, but when spending a whole lot of money on a program, everything is worth considering. Let me also give you some perspective on post MERP and post Dominica. I'm in the middle of 3rd year doing clinicals. There is still this shortage in terms of some rotations, meaning some students will have to wait until 4th year just to complete 3rd year core clinical rotations. For some students, this messes their step 2CK planning and NRMP match planing.

At the end of the day, passing MERP got me into the MD phase of the curriculum, and the basic science on the island got me through USMLE 1 just fine. So in a nutshell, if you are willing to put time and effort not only into getting through MERP, but also through the island and the Step exams, I'd say definitely go for MERP. Again, with Ross, there are no guarantees that you will pass (not trying to scare you, it's just the reality at Ross). I have seen people get dismissed later down the line due to either failing a course(s) or succumbing to the COMP or Step 1. These are things to think about before committing to MERP and to Ross as a choice to complete your medical degree.

i would say overall sGPA of 2.8 or 3.0 without mcat above 28 will get you merp'd, after 28-30 could go either way, above 30 probably straight admission. as deqny85 stated any other schools? if you want to not wait more than 4 months (amt of time merp takes) than i say merp, honest likleyhood of you jumping from 22 to 30+ on mcats is not likely POSSIBLE but i would say not likely. seems to me like you would very well end up in the same situation, just a year later or so after studying, taking mcat, reapplying, etc. best of luck!

I could not have said it any better. I doubt straight admission is possible with those stats to any big 4. MERP is at least a step forward. Liek the post said, there are no guarantees with retaking classes & mcat that you won't end up in the same boat 1 year later. What class was MERP offered to you, August. If so, I will see you there.

Here is how I see it. Not to make fun of you but Ross accepts most people that apply. So, by not being accepted to the straight medical program happened for a couple of possible reasons: A) your stats are not good enough and never will or B) they were not good enough relative to those that applied at the same time.
Take it from a Ross graduate, the loans you will have coming out of there will be astronomical. why add to that tally by taking some lame prep class they offer just to make more in tuition anyway. Depending on you age, I would reapply after sweetening you resume or say screw ross and apply elsewhere so you can get started.
A word of caution, these foreigh schools only care about your tuition, not so much if you make it to graduation. Imagine if you get a couple of semesters into school and have racked up 80 grand in loans and then fail out? How would you ever pay that back? My point being that once you start you have to finish, and get a job just so you can pay back these loans. My loan total is akin to a nice sized house mortgage. Keep this in mind

God must be a Florida Gator fan because everyday at sunset the sky turns orange and blue!!!

I have been out of school for 5 years, but I got a decent MCAT (27 Q) my GPA is 3.2, do you think I might be put inot MERP due to the time gap? If so would it be better to do a master's to make my app more attractive or should I accept MERP if I am offered it? IS it only a yr ?

MERP is 4 months, not bad, you probably wont have to worry about it at all if you have a decent interview, bad interview, still might not have to worry. i will say it might not be a bad idea if offered, you really do build solid study skills in the program